I poked around a bit and found some useful blogging info, especially for rookies. I have put the links in the BLOGGING section of this page.
The info I found is a good survey I think, especially for beginners. Edublogs gives 10 ways to use your edublog to teach. VoiceThread can create an online presentation with audio and text. Plus the name is SO COOL that I just had to snoop it and I've got to figure out a way to use it in my classroom. Same with MakeBeliefsComix. This site allows you to choose cartoon characters and put thought/word bubbles over them. I think this could work even in my Physics curriculum--I could have kids set up a simple experiment or demo that is being done by the cartoon characters. Perhaps we could even mimic the oh-so-famous Adam and Jeremy from "Myth-Busters"!! I also found a couple sites to help keep us all (students in particular) cybersafe when blogging and also found out the basics of copyright and fair use on the internet. Lastly a neat site at heyjude.wordpress.com share the top tech tools that students can use in their blogs (while also sharing a love and respect for the Beatles!!).
Final thoughts: I think a blog for my Physics students is possible but will require careful thinking about what I can and should attempt. Done properly it could be a way cool learning/teaching tool (I really like the "Myth-Busters" cartoon spin-off idea--my idea by the way!) but it could also be a flop if not done right.
The info I found is a good survey I think, especially for beginners. Edublogs gives 10 ways to use your edublog to teach. VoiceThread can create an online presentation with audio and text. Plus the name is SO COOL that I just had to snoop it and I've got to figure out a way to use it in my classroom. Same with MakeBeliefsComix. This site allows you to choose cartoon characters and put thought/word bubbles over them. I think this could work even in my Physics curriculum--I could have kids set up a simple experiment or demo that is being done by the cartoon characters. Perhaps we could even mimic the oh-so-famous Adam and Jeremy from "Myth-Busters"!! I also found a couple sites to help keep us all (students in particular) cybersafe when blogging and also found out the basics of copyright and fair use on the internet. Lastly a neat site at heyjude.wordpress.com share the top tech tools that students can use in their blogs (while also sharing a love and respect for the Beatles!!).
Final thoughts: I think a blog for my Physics students is possible but will require careful thinking about what I can and should attempt. Done properly it could be a way cool learning/teaching tool (I really like the "Myth-Busters" cartoon spin-off idea--my idea by the way!) but it could also be a flop if not done right.
Regards, Tim Moeller the CrowMagnumMan